Julietstt

I'm 6 months post op of full tummy tuck and lipo. Loved the results at first....flat as a board! Starting to notice my upper tummy is sticking out some as well as a little bit of overall
puffiness. I have not any gained weight po. My dr. is saying my abdominal muscles and
fascia are very weak (even though they were repaired) and that I now need to exercise
the muscles. He does not think the stitches in the muscle have come loose. He also stated loosing 5 to 7 pounds will help (I'm 5 ft. 6 inches and weigh about 147 pounds). He said by exercising, the results will show in 2 to 3 months. I'm disappointed and still confused that this can happen. Is there anyone that can advise or relate ?????

fatimablushable

Juliett
I am so sorry to hear this. It sounds so unfair after all that you hae been through with the surgery and the recovery. I am afraid I have no idea whether this is normal but I have read lots of very knowledgable people on here so you are in the right place! It sounds like your weight is perfectly fine for your height! I am 5"6 too and my goal is 150 where I am slim and shapely and idealy comfortable so it sounds as if telling you to lose weight when they did the surgery at the weight you are at is not reasonable. I woudl see if I could get a better explanation out of them if possible. I hoe pyou get some answers here! I hop that all goes well really soon - you deserve it!

Julietstt

Thanks so much for your reply! I really don't have anyone to talk to that understands so just hearing from someone has lifted my spirits today. Have you had a tt as well??? I loved my results at first and was so tickled. Now I'm so afraid it's all going to come back. As much as I hate it, I really have no other choice but to diet and exercise (ugh!) to protect my investment. I go back to the dr. in two months for a follow up. I agree, maybe they will have a better explanation then plus I will be more informed when I go back.

fatimablushable

Juliette, I am due to have one in late sep early October I am still in process of choosing the surgeon. I have seen three and have appointments with 4 others. I will then decide. I want to do it ASAP and am terrified at the same time! I am planning a full tt and breast lift and if they do lipo too at the same time. (The lipo scares me the most!!!)

One of the surgeons I saw did also tell me that tightening the muscles can put them back together if separated but that exercise is the only way to unstretch where they are stretched out. Once the surgery is over, after 3-4 months is a great time to start lots of ab work.

Why don't you go on a mega strenuous abs exercise regimen intensely for the next 2 months before your consult. See if you can do all that is physically possible to get them fixed as he suggested and see if something changes. If you have done that for 2 months and its still not good then he should ahve to answer for it.

Good luck hon'.

Julietstt

Thanks....great advise! Good luck to you -- don't worry or be too nervous (although I was too!).........just think how great it will be when it's over! Let me know how it goes. Thanks again!

fatimablushable

Hey do you ahve any before and after photos to show me?
Can you tell me any advice you may have about recovery? Do you have small kids to take care of? I hav 3 kids 4 and under. How is the liposuction and did your doctor use any speacial new kind of lipo?
Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks,

Julietstt

I wish I had a good before and after pic, but I don't. My best advise about recovery is to just give in to the soreness and take it easy!! I tried to do too much too soon and I wonder if that is why is still feel sore even now at times. I have one son (he's 15) who was a great help to me. It will be harder for you with the little ones. I'm so glad I had the lipo too....I had excess fat. My biggest problem was my muscles (the rectus abdominis) were so separated that it made my tummy stick way out like I was pregnant. I saw my before and after pics at the dr's office again when I was there the other day and I just can't believe the difference. You'll be amazed! Oh, and make sure you wear the compression garmet (I hated it though) as long as the dr. suggests. I'm starting my ab workout routine today....sure hope it will make a difference. As far as dropping the 5-7 pounds.....dieting has always been hard for me because I can loose the weight but never been able to find a way to keep it off. But I have to make this my motivation....I don't want to ruin everything I've been through the last 6 months!! Anyway, don't worry about the questions.....it's great to communicate with someone that knows something about this!!

Julietstt

I have an update....I saw another surgeon for a second opinion for peace of mind. He said it is possible that the stitches in my abs have come a little loose. In addition, he said technically I should weigh a little less after the tt and lipo because of the fat and skin that was removed (I've been weighing about the same). He suggested I loose just a few pounds to see if the puffiness goes down. If it does not go down after weight loss, he said he can repair my muscles through an incision in my belly button. I feel a lot better about it now. Sure am hoping that the few pounds of weight loss will help !!!!